AFRICA

Barefoot Luxury

Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Concrete bedroom with wooden ceiling, sheer curtains, and expansive desert landscape view through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Photos courtesy of Francisco Nogueira

Along the coast of São Vicente in the Cape Verde islands you'll find 36 private villas. Enjoy the sublime scenery and unrivalled privacy; journey to a place where you can escape from your everyday worries and let yourself be guided by a slower pace of life.

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A collaboration between Polo Architects and Going East, this new hospitality hideaway blends in seamlessly with its rugged surroundings in a way that reflects both respect for the wild beauty of nature, as well as answering a contemporary need for a different experience of indulgence. The low-slung, intimate villas are unique settings that embody the laid-back sun-kissed São Vicente lifestyle.

Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Wooden pergola with slatted roof casting linear shadows over teak deck and infinity pool, minimalist architecture with volcanic stone and concrete details overlooking desert landscape.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Stone pavilion with warm interior light overlooking desert beach and turquoise ocean at dusk, minimalist coastal architecture.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Woven timber pergola shelters minimalist kitchen pavilion with stone walls, wooden decking, and desert mountain views.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Minimalist poolside terrace with timber pergola, stone walls, and ocean views at dusk.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Warm stone wall, minimalist sink counter, and open doorway with afternoon light casting geometric shadows across terracotta surfaces.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Minimalist bedroom with rammed earth walls, wooden ceiling, metal bed frame, white linens, and open doors to desert landscape.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Dining room with round wood table, woven chairs, timber cabinetry, concrete walls, and pendant light fixture.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Open-plan dining pavilion with wooden round table, rattan chairs, concrete walls, timber-framed windows, and woven pendant light.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Concrete bedroom with timber ceiling, red wooden shelving, and woven chair at desk beside bed with coral throw.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Concrete bedroom with timber ceiling fan, stone accent wall, and sliding glass doors opening to landscape view.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Minimal concrete bathroom with wooden ceiling, natural light through tall window, vessel sink, pendant fixtures, and open-air shower design.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Open-plan interior with cork walls, wooden ceiling, red steel columns, concrete floors, and natural light casting geometric shadows across dining and living spaces.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Open-plan dining and kitchen with wooden furniture, concrete ceiling, stone walls, and expansive views of natural landscape.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Minimalist wooden pergola and reflecting pool between stone and concrete structures overlooking coastal landscape at sunset.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Rooftop kitchen with stone walls, wooden pergola, concrete counter, dark timber stools, and desert views at sunset.
Barefoot Luxury, Africa — Minimalist stone pavilion on empty beach with volcanic headland, turquoise water, and desert landscape at dusk.

The Details

What makes it Kobu

To keep the guests connected to the pristine landscape, 15-foot windows frame in ocean vistas while timber screens extend the interior out to a private terrace and swimming pool with views expanding out over the sea.

While modern in form, their local basalt stone facade harmonize with the surrounding landscape and fade into the natural hues of the shoreline. Internally, raw board-formed concrete walls and floors are warmed up with wood trim and a selection of furniture from local artisans.

Directions

São Vicente, Cape Verde

The Destination

Africa

Africa_Cover

From Marrakech to Cape Town, the African continent boasts a breadth of speeds and experiences for any type of traveller. Spectacular coastlines, nature and wildlife, meet traditional culture, craftsmanship and cuisine — all the ingredients of an unforgettable journey of a lifetime.

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Photography

Commissioned photography for luxury hospitality and properties.

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Selected work

Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, Turkey — Wooden terrace with linen curtains overlooking infinity pool, manicured trees, and Aegean Sea at golden hour.
Rosewood Mandarina, Mexico — Modern geometric architecture with warm ochre facade and expansive windows surrounded by palm trees at golden hour.
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Mexico — White-walled modernist courtyard with arched entryway, tall palm trees, terracotta floors, and mid-century wooden seating under clear blue sky.
Casa Lumeria, Mexico — Courtyard with limestone pool, wooden loungers, cream umbrellas, cascading vines on brutalist concrete architecture, minimalist luxury design.